The report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services – or IPBES – said on Friday that if humanity does not improve the sustainable use of nature, the Earth will lose 12% of its wild tree species, more than a thousand species wild mammals and nearly 450 species of sharks and rays, among other irreparable harms. Humans use about 50,000 wild species regularly, and 1 in 5 people out of the world’s 7.9 billion people depend on these species for food and income, the report said. 1 in 3 people rely on fuel for cooking, the number is even higher in Africa. “It’s important that these uses are sustainable because you need them to be there for your children and grandchildren. So when wildlife uses become unsustainable, it’s bad for the species, it’s bad for the ecosystem, and it’s bad for people,” report co-chair Marla R. Emery of the United States told The Associated Press. Beyond the bleak picture, the report also provides recommendations for policy makers and examples of sustainable use of wildlife. A central point should be securing tenure rights for indigenous and local peoples, who have historically made sustainable use of wild species, the report says. According to the study, indigenous peoples occupy about 38,000,000 square kilometers (14,600,000 sq mi) of land in 87 countries, equivalent to about 40% of terrestrial protected areas. “Their lands tend to have better sustainability than other countries. And the common thread is the ability to continue to engage in routine practices,” said Emery, who is also a researcher with the US Forest Service. Emery argued that it is necessary to ensure national and international systems, such as education, that promote the preservation of indigenous languages, as it preserves the ability of older members to transfer traditional knowledge about sustainable practices to new generations. “It was a transition from an unsustainable to a sustainable situation,” Fromentin said. “Some communities in Brazil set up community-based management and then invited some scientists to learn more about the biology of the fish and set up an effective monitoring system. It worked so well that the model went to other communities and countries like Peru.” The indigenous leader cited growing problems in the region, such as water contamination from mercury used in illegal mining and oil spills. Additionally, those who oppose these practices face violence, such as the recent killing of an indigenous warrior in a mining area in Venezuela. The report was approved by representatives of the 139 member countries who gathered this week in Bonn, Germany. Dozens of experts participated, from scientists to holders of indigenous knowledge. IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body and is not part of the United Nations system, but is supported by the United Nations Environment Program and other agencies.
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